Oustalet's vs Carpets

I know this is not a close comparison. I had decided that a carpet was the way I wanted to go, until hubby chimed in. LOL. He doesn't take interest in my reptiles, so this is pretty big. So, since he's taken interest, I'm now contimplating which one to get. I would like either one. I know there is a huge difference between the two. My husband and I talked it over, and he figures that since we're now going to build a cage for them that will spoil even an Oustalet, we could go either way. If we get a carpet, it will stay in our smaller enclosure until it is ready to move up. I figure you can't really give a chameleon too much room, since they live in unlimited space in the wild. My panther feeds out of a dish every day now, and has a large enclosure for his size, and does great. Eventually, the panther and whichever one we decide to get will be in side by side cages that are 2x2x4.5ft.

I know that carpets are small, and would do fine in a smaller cage. And on the other end, that Oustalet's eat a lot and get huge. I've read that Oustalet's have great personalities, and that Carpets do as well. Also, should I look at a male or female?

So many choices. I can tell I'll have more than two chameleons by the time this is over.

I'm not sure, but from what I hear, an Oustalet might need a larger enclosure than what you are talking about. In addition, if you're going for looks, they aren't nearly as colorful as carpets. Carpets, however, don't tolerate mistakes very well from what I understand and require a very high humidity. and heavy foliage in the enclosure. My vote is carpet, mainly because I find them to be very fascinating.

My female carpet......



Maybe this will sway your thinking?
I think a cage that large would be too big for a carpet chameleon almost. Why not just make a smaller cage for a carpet? Or divide the large cage sideways to make two cages, and then get a male and female carpet????

Haha, either way, I am sure you would enjoy either cham.

Well, our plan for the cage is like an armoire, two identicle sides, cabinets underneath, made of nice wood to accent rather than just look like a cage. I have read that oustalet's do well in 2x2x4 or larger, so I thought that the size was ok. I know the carpets are gorgeous, and I love the way they look. The oustalet's are just neat to me, and I've read their personalities make up for the lack in color. I would love to get a pair, but with showing dogs and working, I'm afraid breeding chams is not in my future :-(

Clarke221 said:

Well, our plan for the cage is like an armoire, two identicle sides, cabinets underneath, made of nice wood to accent rather than just look like a cage.

Click to expand...

It's crazy that you mention a cage of this type. For the past few days I've been sketching & daydreaming about building a double sided cage for my Panther that I will get later this summer. I've got a closet space that's 2' deep x 4' wide' x 6'-8" tall to put it cage(s) in. Was thinking I may build it to where the middle portion is a partition that had a removable portion inside of it. This way the cage can be used as a singe, large, 4' wide cage. Or, if I get another chameleon, I can put the middle partition back in & have two seperate 2' wide cages.

I'm particularily interested in the carpets as well. They're amazing little chameleons. I'm in the same boat with my wife, who could care less about the herps. I've got my man/computer room, that she has no say so as far as what goes in here. But, the space is a somewhat limited so I'm having to do some careful planning on what goes where. The room is 10' x 10', not including the closet. Was going to put the large double sided cage in the closet that I've taken the doors off of.

Was thinking of eventually using my large, double sided cage for either two panthers, or a panther & a veiled. I would probably build a smaller cage suited just for a carpet, or maybe another smaller double sided cage for two carpets! lol

Good luck picking your next cham!!

I say get both . I have both and they are so very different, I can't say either way which is better. Carpets can be put into smaller cages, so just get a smaller cage for the carpet and the large cage can be for the oustie. Ousties are very gently unless they are hormonal, then omg, watch out. My female wanted to mate with my male, and I didn't clue in fast enough, so she literally lunged for my face. I don't blame her. Other than that, they are calm and docile, especially the males, and I love them to pieces. They are just wonderful. I have my male oustie in a 5 ft tall by 5 ft wide by 2 ft deep cage, and he uses every square inch of it. But his outside cage is 2 x 2 x 6ft and he is just fine in that.
My carpets are very shy. They tend to hide and drop to the ground if I spot them and freeze in place, or take off and run for cover. Also, if I pick them up, no matter how carefully I hold them, they always try to drop to the ground, so if I have to move them, I do so in containers, not with my hands. On the other hand, most ousties don't act that way (besides my female, who has been very hormonal lately, she tries to drop and run every time I take her out of the cage, which I don't understand because it is usually for moving her to her outside cage) my male oustie just sits there in the open and stares at me. So, if you want an absolutely gorgeous chameleon that you have to scan the cage for a few minutes to look for, but is so worth it when you spot them, get a carpet. However, if you want a big huge thing that looks like a miniature dinosaur that sits out in the open and doesn't drop to the ground when you pick him up, get a male Oustalets. But just a side note, as you know, you should only hold them when absolutely necessary... after reading my post, I almost sound like I hold them often, but I don't, only to move them outside and to medicate them. Thats just my two cents, I'm sure other people have different experiences.